This is a small priory established in a church donated around the year 1080 by Maingod of Melle to the Abbey of Saint-Jean-d'Angély (Charente-Maritime). A new Romanesque church replaced the earlier building, which was probably from the 11th century. It was rebuilt in two phases during the 12th century and included an adjoining hospital. The building suffered serious damage during the Wars of Religion in the 16th century and was restored in the 19th century.
The church has three naves and a transept. The crossing and the east end are the oldest parts: the presbytery is surrounded by an ambulatory with three radiating apsidioles, and the arms of the transept contain two additional apsidioles. The north portal preserves the well-known image of a knight, a motif found in other churches of the region; however, this figure is largely the result of the 19th-century restoration. Inside, a large collection of sculpted capitals has been preserved.
North portal with the knight (12th/19th century)
North portal
Church floor plan, published in Melle. Congrès archéologique de France
South portal
South portal
With the inscription: Facere me Aimericus rogavit
The north portal before restoration
Illustration from Monumens religieux, militaires et civils du Poitou (1843)
- ARNAULD, Charles (1843). Deux-Sèvres. Première série : monumens religieux, militaires et civils du Poitou. Niort: Robin
- BEAUCHET-FILLEAU, Henri (1890). Notes diverses pour servir à l'histoire de la ville de Melle. Melle: Lacuve
- GIRARDIN-VILLENEUVE, Cécile (2004). Melle, église Saint-Hilaire. Congrès archéologique de France, 159e session, 2001, Deux-Sèvres. Société française d’archéologie
- LEFÈVRE-PONTALIS, Eugène (1913). Melle. Congrès archéologique de France. 79 ss. Angoulême
- LÉVRIER, Gabriel (1869). Précis historique sur la ville de Melle. Melle: Moreau-Lacuve
- OURSEL, Raymond (1984). Haut-Poitou roman. La nuit des temps, 42. Zodiaque
- PAYS D’ART ET D’HISTOIRE DU PAYS MELLOIS (2012). Le choeur de Saint-Hilaire de Melle. Melle
The town of Melle is located east of Niort